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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup matches from a designated city based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the third such city to receive such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump lacks formal power to personally cancel either competition, he is able to lobby the organizing committees in charge of each competition to change locations.

Setting for Statements

The comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a massive financial assistance for the South American nation. At the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated about the World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … they're far-left, and they’re dominating areas of the city. It's a major statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven trend where groups of people gather on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in the city. Nevertheless, these gatherings are typically not seen as tied to any specific ideological group.

“If someone is performing poorly, and I believe exist security risks, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump said during the event. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at multiple presidential events, had Trump hand over the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer games from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and claiming that games could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a event in London.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is more important than any individual and soccer will outlast their administration and their government. That is the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I believed Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to a different city as needed,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would have to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her role in this year and has so far not appear together with the former president, though she said that she desires a meeting with him at some point.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the event.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we will have to be strict,” the former president stated.

His message was just as unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”